Having Fun with Mr. Wrong Read Free Page A

work with an employer who’d appreciate what she had to give. She didn’t care that Tom hadn’t followed the proper protocol by calling her at the office because soon, hopefully very soon, she wouldn’t have to worry about watching everything she did and said.
    “I’d like to set up a lunch with you this week,” Paul said.
    “I’m on an engagement the rest of the week and usually eat with the audit team, but…” She pulled her calendar out of her purse and checked it. “Friday is good.”
    They set the time and place to meet.
    ****
    Rosie’s bustled with the Friday midtown lunch crowd. Instead of feeling awkward, like the unpopular kid at a school lunch table, as she usually did with her audit team, Carmala felt exhilarated. Change was in the air. Still, she needed to proceed carefully and not burn the proverbial bridges with her current employer.
    After they placed their lunch orders, Paul Synder straightened his jacket sleeves. “Synergy Plus wants to make this move as seamless as possible. They need you right away. They’ll sweeten the deal by paying for you to move to an upgraded apartment and kick in the rent for the first six months.”
    Based on her research, as a business consultant she would get a salary increase plus commission income, and that could bring her well over a potential three-quarters of a million dollars a year. However, the commission would be fifty percent of the projected income, and that had her concerned.
    If she took the deal, she’d be under no obligation to stay with the Synergy Plus beyond the initial six months.
    “The reason why Synergy Plus is being so dogmatic is that your CPA license and diverse public accounting background are going to come in handy. In addition, your experience with consulting work in the small business and nonprofit sector appeals to them.”
    She didn’t like to gloat, but she enjoyed the validation of what she already knew: she was good at her work. She’d never get that satisfaction from Banter. “This is exciting. I’d like to set up a meeting with Tom to negotiate the terms of the position.”
    “Absolutely. We’ll do that for you. What days are good for you in the next two weeks?”
    They set up a date for Carmala to meet with Tom the following week.
    Wow! Little ol’ Carmala Rosa, a simple South Philadelphia girl, was moving on to an opportunity bigger than she ever imagined. Synergy wanted her, badly enough to pay for an apartment upgrade.
    Banter could kiss her ass.
    The glow of satisfaction coursed through her soul, but the deal wasn’t finalized yet. She hoped it would be…and soon.
    ****
    Carmala couldn’t wait to tell Guido all about the Synergy Plus job offer.
    Later that night at the apartment, he unpacked a brown paper bag filled with several containers of Chinese takeout and placed them on the breakfast bar. Carmala grabbed plates, utensils, and napkins and set the table.
    “Do you think the Synergy Plus job is in the bag?” Guido asked while he served the food.
    She tasted the chicken and vegetables in oyster sauce. God, it was mouthwateringly good. But she could barely concentrate on eating. “I don’t know, Guid. I sure hope so. Ever since my review with Cathy, I feel more and more uncomfortable going to the office.”
    “Yeah, because they’re squeezing you out. I think you should go for the job at Synergy Plus. What have you got to lose?” He spooned another forkful of food into his mouth, licking his lips in apparent delight.
    “I’d love to work with a group of people that think like me. But the commission income concerns me. I need to count on a salary, especially if I’m going to be moving into a higher-rent apartment.” Carmala was silent for a minute and thought of her next words. “Guido, we Italians don’t stray far from the family, yet I uprooted myself from three generations who lived within blocks of our home. And broke Mom’s heart. And now Banter wants to force me out.” She pushed her food